Associate Director, AI & Automation Catalyst

Novartis ACC; Dublin; On-site; EUR 89,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis in Dublin seeks a technical change leader to co-design and roll out AI and automation within the Advanced Quantitative Sciences function. You will translate needs into clear requirements, collaborate with engineering teams, and drive adoption with senior stakeholders.

The role combines hands-on prototyping with strategic change management, ensuring compliant, evidence-based, scalable solutions within a regulated setting. Strong communication and leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a quantitative field with relevant experience in regulated environments.
• 3+ years leading technology-enabled business change or transformation in life sciences.
• Proven track record taking AI/automation from pilot to scaled adoption with measurable impact.
• Familiar with SDTM/ADaM data flows, statistical computing environments, and GxP/CSV expectations.
• Proficient in R and/or Python; understands software engineering practices (CI/CD, testing, releases).
• Excellent stakeholder management and ability to influence at senior levels.
• Fluent English, able to tell evidence-led stories to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Translate AI and automation needs into production-ready solutions and adoption roadmaps.
• Collaborate with AI & Data Engineering, SCE platform teams, and IT to shape designs.
• Lead stakeholder engagement and alignment across matrix organisations.
• Redesign QC and review workflows to integrate AI/automation as standard practice.
• Design change plans, train users, and measure adoption impact.
• Ensure change is compliant, validated, and traceable in regulated environments.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Leadership

Problem solving

Education

MSc/PhD in Computer Science, Data Science, AI/ML, Biostatistics, Bioinformatics or quantitative discipline

Tools

R

Python

CI/CD

Version control

Job description

Summary

Location: Dublin, Ireland

This role is based in Dublin, Ireland. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role. Please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

Complex data are integral to our work in clinical studies. This position is part of the Advanced Quantitative Sciences (AQS) Technology & AI function at Novartis. Our mission is to use automation and artificial intelligence to unlock the potential of complex scientific data, speed up quantitative decision-making in clinical trials, and bring innovative medicines to patients faster.

Our new Statistical Computing Environment (SCE) is changing how AQS works, from how programming and QC are done in the SCE to how outputs flow across the AQS Digital workflow. The AI & Automation Catalyst turns that technology into lasting changes in daily practice. You will co-lead, with engineering and business partners, the rollout of AI and automation into the how we generate evidence. That covers redesigning processes, being a technical champion, bringing stakeholders along, and making sure new ways of working are adopted, compliant and deliver measurable value.

This is a technical role and a change role, not one or the other. You are credible enough with engineers and programmers to shape solutions and challenge designs. You are also skilled enough with people to move senior stakeholders, line functions and skeptical end users from pilot to standard practice.

About The Role

Major accountabilities

• Leads translation of AI and automation into production. Owns the adoption roadmap for AI/automation that includes tools that span from the current-state process baseline, through future-state design and pilots, to scaled rollout.
• Connects technology and business. Translates needs into clear requirements, user stories and acceptance criteria. Works hand in hand with AI & Data Engineering, SCE platform teams and IT to shape solutions. Makes informed technical trade-offs across build vs. configure, human-in-the-loop design and validation effort.
• Manages stakeholders and influences without authority. Builds strong relationships across statistical programming, biostatistics, QA, line leadership and governance forums. Gets sponsors aligned, handles resistance, and turns different priorities into agreed decisions in a matrix organisation.
• Redesigns processes and operating models. Redesigns QC and review workflows so AI and automation inform the standard process, and are not a bolt on. Updates SOPs, work instructions, RACI and role definitions with process owners.
• Drives adoption and builds capability. Designs and runs change plans covering communications, training, champion networks, office hours and feedback loops. Tracks adoption and sentiment, and adjusts the approach based on the evidence.
• Keeps change safe, compliant and inspection-ready. Understands GxP, computerised system validation and data integrity in drug development. Makes sure AI-assisted steps have the right risk assessment, human oversight, traceability and documentation. Works with QA and Compliance so the change holds up in audit.
• Stays hands-on where it matters. Prototypes, reviews code and runs proofs of concept when that speeds up a decision or unblocks adoption. Offers expert guidance on complex data and automation problems.
• Remains current with industry trends, and brings in external good practice on AI adoption in regulated environments through industry consortia, conferences and publications.
• Fosters a culture of continuous learning, constructive challenge and innovation. Role-models transparent, responsible use of AI.

Essential Requirements

• MSc or PhD in Computer Science, Data Science, AI/ML, Biostatistics, Bioinformatics or another quantitative discipline. Equivalent experience considered.
• Extensive experience in technology delivery in life sciences or another regulated industry, with at least 3 years leading technology-enabled business change or transformation.
• Proven record of taking AI/automation or digital solutions from pilot to scaled, sustained adoption, with measured business impact.
• Working knowledge of clinical data flows and statistical programming (e.g. SDTM/ADaM, TFLs, double programming/QC), statistical computing environments, and GxP/CSV expectations.
• Solid technical foundation: can read and write R and/or Python, and understands software engineering practices (version control, testing, CI/CD, release management). Practical understanding of LLM/agentic AI applications and their limits, including evaluation, human-in-the-loop design and risk.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at all levels, including senior leadership. Comfortable challenging and handling resistance in a matrix environment.
• Fluent English, verbal and written. Can tell a clear, evidence-led story to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Desirable Requirements

• Change management certification, Lean/Six Sigma, or product owner/agile certification or experience.
• Experience with Domino or similar analytics platforms, and with CDISC initiatives / metadata-driven automation.
• External profile through publications, industry working groups or conference talks.

Benefits & Rewards

At Novartis, we’re committed to reimagining medicine together – and rewarding the people who make it happen.

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: 89,180.00 -165,620.00 EUR

The base salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.

In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters.

The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave.

Pay equity is a fundamental principle of our employment policy and reflects our commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that treats all employees with dignity and respect, as outlined in our Code of Ethics.

Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering:

https://www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/novartis-life-handbook.pdf

Note: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable. A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately to you during the application process.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO paragraph

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams’ representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Why Novartis

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards

Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)